Through our Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

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Meet our blogs

MENASource

MENASource follows movements across the region and provides news and analysis on current events, including a platform for Middle Eastern perspectives, among others, on major issues—economic, political, security, cultural—that are at stake in the post-Arab Spring era.  

IranSource

IranSource provides a holistic look at Iran’s internal dynamics, global and regional policies, and posture through unique analysis of current events and long-term, strategic issues related to Iran.

All commentary & analysis

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2016

The War on ISIS: Trump’s ‘Steep Learning Curve’

The United Nations’ Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, called on US President-elect Donald Trump to work with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria, however, many other factors must be considered before the United States enters into such an alliance, according to an Atlantic Council expert. “Putting together a coherent strategy around […]

Iran
Russia

New Atlanticist

Nov 21, 2016

Lebanese Hezbollah Offers a Glimpse of its Firepower

By Nicholas Blanford

Lebanon’s militant Shi’ite Hezbollah displayed its new armored capabilities for the first time during a military parade in the Syrian town of Qusayr in Homs province, offering the most compelling example yet of the Iran-backed group’s adoption of conventional military tactics and equipment alongside its traditional low-signature asymmetric doctrine. The parade was held on November […]

Middle East
Syria

IranSource

Nov 18, 2016

Iran’s Take on the Trump Victory

By Mehran Haghirian

The victory of Donald Trump brought both relief and fear in Iran. While some are jubilant that Hillary Clinton lost and believe that Trump will conduct his presidency with a business mindset, most are fearful for the fate of the nuclear deal and the new era of international relations that Iran has been enjoying since […]

Iran

IranSource

Nov 15, 2016

Lights and Shadows in Trump’s Iran Policy

By Shahir Shahidsaless

It is difficult to predict President-Elect Donald Trump’s foreign policy in general, and thus even more difficult his policy toward Iran, given the contradictory positions he took during the campaign. However, drawing on key signs, there are both lights and shadows in his likely policies toward Iran.

Iran

IranSource

Nov 14, 2016

Under Trump, the Iran Nuclear Deal Becomes a Sword of Damocles

By Hamid Zangeneh

Historically, Iran and the United States have often chosen the wrong path when they faced a fork in their relations. After last week’s U.S. election, here we go again! Another chance that could be mishandled or missed.   For now, Iran is in the driver’s seat and can choose to keep its destiny in its own […]

Iran

IranSource

Nov 9, 2016

Dear President Trump: Don’t Scrap the Iran Deal

By Barbara Slavin

Donald Trump will be a busy man January 20 as he nominates new cabinet secretaries and seeks to reshape a post-Barack Obama agenda in domestic and international affairs. Among the issues he will confront is whether to continue U.S. compliance with Obama’s chief foreign policy legacy: the landmark nuclear agreement reached with Iran last year.

Iran

IranSource

Nov 2, 2016

A Friendlier Majles Confirms New Rouhani Ministers

By Mehran Haghirian

President Hassan Rouhani addressed the Islamic Republic’s Majles (Parliament) on Nov. 1 on the occasion of confirmation hearings for three new ministers. With the help of his supporters within the Majles, all three nominees won votes of confidence and are now ministers at least until new presidential elections scheduled for May 19, 2017.

Iran

IranSource

Nov 1, 2016

Iran’s Largest Protest Demonstration since 2009

By Mehrnaz Samimi

Iran last week experienced its largest protest demonstration since 2009 rallies after disputed presidential elections. The demonstration occurred on Friday at the tomb of Cyrus the Great in the ancient city of Pasargad, near Shiraz, in southern Iran.

Iran

Event Recap

Oct 27, 2016

Tackling Root Causes of Conflict in the Middle East

By Tyler M. Nocita

On Thursday, October 27, 2016, the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security hosted Sweden’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Annika Söder for a conference on US-European cooperation in the Middle East. Söder delivered keynote remarks, in which she emphasized that the Middle East is undergoing a period of rapid transition and instability, threatened by a […]

Europe & Eurasia
Middle East

IranSource

Oct 26, 2016

اقتصاد راکد پسابرجام ایران

By مهرناز صمیمی

علی هاشمی، رئیس کمیته مستقل مبارزه با مواد مخدر دبیرخانه مجمع تشخیص مصلحت نظام، اخیراً در گفتگویی با خبرگزاری ایسنا در مورد آمار بیکاری در کشور، گفت که درصد واقعی بیکاری در برخی شهرها به نزدیک ۸۰ می رسد. اخباری این چنین، رکودی که در بازارهایی چون بازار مسکن ایران به چشم می خورد، و […]

Iran
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